Player Quotes - Eastern Michigan
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Eastern Michigan
December 27, 2017
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Frank Howard, Jr., Guard
How much of an impact did Paschal Chukwu have on the game today?
“ He can change the game completely. He can change our team and I am just happy with his progression so far. I want him to keep working and I am proud of him.”
Did he have a mental block with his free throws, was it his confidence?
“Definitely confidence, the whole time it was mental. Everyday in practice he makes all of his free throws and if not all, the majority of them. He is a knock-down free throw shooter in practice and that is kind of why the coaches were frustrated with him in the beginning of the season because we have all seen him make them.”
You are playing maybe the best 3-point shooting team in the country next game in Virginia Tech, what is the challenge with playing defense on them?
“We know the type of team they are and we have a lot of respect for them. We have been watching film and seeing where they like to shoot from and what spots they tend to be comfortable with. We know they have a lot of great guards and athletic wings and athletic big men so it’s going to be a tough game but I am confident in my team.”
Paschal Chukwu, Jr., C
You were 9-of-11 at the line today. Have you completely solved that issue?
“Yeah, staying after practice and coach has been making me shoot 100 a day and I keep a percentage.”
In the first half you did a bunch of good things defensively to block shots or make them scared to attack the rim. Is that what your motive is out there?
“That’s my job in the middle of the zone to make anyone that comes in there think twice about taking that shot and that’s what I tried to do. The first couple possessions they would come in and I would get blocks, and the second half they became smarter and change their shot.”
Tyus Battle , So., G
Are you putting any more pressure on yourself when those shots aren’t falling in the first half or is it, I know it’s coming down the stretch?
“I knew one was going to fall eventually. Can’t miss that many shots and one has to go in so I wasn’t worried. Just have to keep on shooting and if you stop shooting that means you lost confidence in yourself. “
What are your thoughts on Virginia Tech?
“Well we know they are a really good team. They’ve been playing hard and we lost to them last year.”
Is there any added pressure on your team?
“No, it’s just another basketball game and this is what we signed up for so it should be a good game.”
Can you reflect on this part of the season so far and what have you guys learned about one another and what do you think you need to focus in on as you head into conference play?
“We have to continue to be a defensive-minded team. I think that’s really what’s won our games and we’ve really been through a lot during this non-conference stretch. We’re a good team and a young team and we’ve had a lot of good experiences going into the ACC conference and the ACC Conference is the best conference in the country.”
Oshae Brissett, Fr., Forward
What has the team learned up to this point going into conference play?
“We’ve had a lot of defenses thrown at us. So we know how to attack different defenses – zone or man. We know everyone’s tendencies. Tyus (Battle) is the guy to get us going and once he gets going – Paschal (Chukwu) is down there doing his work, like today he showed what he is capable of. Frank (Howard) and me, we’re just going to try to score when we can. If it’s open we’ll, try to get to it. But I feel like we’re pretty confident going into conference play and we’re ready for the games.”
Your first ever ACC game coming up, what’s that emotion like for you?
“I’m excited. It’s my first ACC game and it’s a game I get to play against one of my close friends Nickeil Alexander-Walker. I’ve been friends with him since I was really young, we’ve been playing together back in Toronto. So it’d going to be a fun game.”
Syracuse vs. Eastern Michigan
December 27, 2017
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Frank Howard, Jr., Guard
How much of an impact did Paschal Chukwu have on the game today?
“ He can change the game completely. He can change our team and I am just happy with his progression so far. I want him to keep working and I am proud of him.”
Did he have a mental block with his free throws, was it his confidence?
“Definitely confidence, the whole time it was mental. Everyday in practice he makes all of his free throws and if not all, the majority of them. He is a knock-down free throw shooter in practice and that is kind of why the coaches were frustrated with him in the beginning of the season because we have all seen him make them.”
You are playing maybe the best 3-point shooting team in the country next game in Virginia Tech, what is the challenge with playing defense on them?
“We know the type of team they are and we have a lot of respect for them. We have been watching film and seeing where they like to shoot from and what spots they tend to be comfortable with. We know they have a lot of great guards and athletic wings and athletic big men so it’s going to be a tough game but I am confident in my team.”
Paschal Chukwu, Jr., C
You were 9-of-11 at the line today. Have you completely solved that issue?
“Yeah, staying after practice and coach has been making me shoot 100 a day and I keep a percentage.”
In the first half you did a bunch of good things defensively to block shots or make them scared to attack the rim. Is that what your motive is out there?
“That’s my job in the middle of the zone to make anyone that comes in there think twice about taking that shot and that’s what I tried to do. The first couple possessions they would come in and I would get blocks, and the second half they became smarter and change their shot.”
Tyus Battle , So., G
Are you putting any more pressure on yourself when those shots aren’t falling in the first half or is it, I know it’s coming down the stretch?
“I knew one was going to fall eventually. Can’t miss that many shots and one has to go in so I wasn’t worried. Just have to keep on shooting and if you stop shooting that means you lost confidence in yourself. “
What are your thoughts on Virginia Tech?
“Well we know they are a really good team. They’ve been playing hard and we lost to them last year.”
Is there any added pressure on your team?
“No, it’s just another basketball game and this is what we signed up for so it should be a good game.”
Can you reflect on this part of the season so far and what have you guys learned about one another and what do you think you need to focus in on as you head into conference play?
“We have to continue to be a defensive-minded team. I think that’s really what’s won our games and we’ve really been through a lot during this non-conference stretch. We’re a good team and a young team and we’ve had a lot of good experiences going into the ACC conference and the ACC Conference is the best conference in the country.”
Oshae Brissett, Fr., Forward
What has the team learned up to this point going into conference play?
“We’ve had a lot of defenses thrown at us. So we know how to attack different defenses – zone or man. We know everyone’s tendencies. Tyus (Battle) is the guy to get us going and once he gets going – Paschal (Chukwu) is down there doing his work, like today he showed what he is capable of. Frank (Howard) and me, we’re just going to try to score when we can. If it’s open we’ll, try to get to it. But I feel like we’re pretty confident going into conference play and we’re ready for the games.”
Your first ever ACC game coming up, what’s that emotion like for you?
“I’m excited. It’s my first ACC game and it’s a game I get to play against one of my close friends Nickeil Alexander-Walker. I’ve been friends with him since I was really young, we’ve been playing together back in Toronto. So it’d going to be a fun game.”
